Police investigate infant's death

Grieving mother Akisi Naiuruuru during an interview at their home at Vakacegu settlement in Navua last week. Picture: JONACANI LALAKOBAU

POLICE are investigating the death of a newborn whose 27-year-old mother was told to take herself to the CWM Hospital by staff of Navua Hospital.

Akisi Naiuruuru of Vakacegu settlement in Navua experienced labour pains on Monday morning and had visited the Navua Hospital believing she would receive basic prenatal care at the centre.

Questions sent to the Ministry of Health three days ago for comment on the issue remained unanswered yesterday.

Police spokesman Atunaisa Sokomuri confirmed the deatils of the incident on Friday.

"On Monday afternoon, a 27-year-old mother was having labour pains and went to Navua Hospital.

"At Navua Hospital, she was requested by a staff nurse to go on her own transport to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital since her file was there.

"The complainant travelled in a taxi to CWMH. Upon delivery at the hospital, it was discovered that the baby died during delivery."

"Investigations are now continuing," he said.

The mother of two said she had expected her third baby to arrive on June 28.

Ms Naiuruuru said her mother had accompanied her to the hospital that morning where they begged a staff nurse to medically examine her as she felt excruciating pain while walking from her home to the Navua market to fetch her mother.

"I was shocked when I asked the nurse to check me and she bluntly asked me if my water broke, when I said no, she (nurse) told me that I should travel to Suva," Ms Naiuruuru said

"I was actually pleading with her to check me, because I felt that the pain was unbearable and I knew judging from the pain, if I travelled to Suva in a public transport I might give birth along the way."

Ms Naiuruuru said when the nurse told her off in front of other patients, she knew there was no point arguing and that she had to seek medical attention straight away.

She said her mother called her husband who then came in a taxi and they the proceeded to Suva together.

"We had just gone past Naboro when my water broke, I was really scared because we were still far from the hospital, I didn't know what to do," she said.

"We left Navua at 2pm and by 4pm I gave birth at the hospital and was waiting for my baby to cry but she didn't and when I heard the nurse saying a Bible verse usually said during funerals I figured that my baby was gone.

"It was then that I just could not hold back my tears and wept for my beautiful baby girl."